Top Ten Things to Do in the Sacred Valley, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 24th May, 2025 Top Ten Things to Do in the Sacred Valley, Peru Almost everyone who visits Peru will travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Sandwiched between them is the wonderful, fertile Sacred Valley, full of unexpected delights. It would be easy to spend a week in the Sacred Valley; the climate is warmer than in Cusco, and …
Cusco: Top 10 Restaurants and Best Peruvian food by Tom Shearman on 12th January, 2025 Almost every tour to Peru will pass through the famous Inca capital of Cusco. Learn which typical plates to taste, where to grab a quick and hearty meal and where to enjoy fine dining. Below is a list of various restaurants to suit all occasions and budgets, not just those flying close to Michelin stars. …
How Farming Fights Food Insecurity & Climate Change by Tom Shearman on 21st November, 2023 Students Study Food Insecurity & Climate Change in Peru University of Edinburgh students and teachers report back from Peru, where they learned how traditional farming techniques could help prevent climate change and reduce food insecurity. The team visited coastal Lima, the Cusco Highlands, and the cloud forest. For Andean Trails and our local team, it …
Chile and Easter Island Theories by Tom Shearman on 6th July, 2023 Debunking the Myths: Easter Island Theories Explained Rapa Nui’s giant and ancient moai statues have stumped academics and archaeologists for centuries, sparking myriad Easter Island theories. Aliens, rats, and human greed have all been credited with the dramatic collapse in Easter Island’s population and abandoned statues that scatter the land. This triangular island, 14 miles …
A Guide to the Best Festivals in Peru by Tom Shearman on 20th June, 2023 Peru festivals are some of the most colourful and spectacular celebrations in the world. Peru festivals include fiestas, parades, and processions throughout the country at various times of the year. Visitors are welcome on many of these special occasions. The main celebrations mark Inca history and the country’s independence whole newer festivals show Peru’s modern …
Behind the Scenes: Planning a Trip to South America with Andean Trails. by Tom Shearman on 24th January, 2022 There’s nothing we love more at Andean Trails than helping people when they’re planning a trip to South America. We hope our passion for this incredibly diverse continent shines through and inspires people to travel. Our connection with the destinations we offer comes from personal experiences spanning decades. You’ll find we ask lots of questions …
Not the Inca Trail: The best treks near Cusco and Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 14th January, 2020 The best treks near Cusco and Machu Picchu This week Kathy, co-author of the Bradt Peru trekking guides, takes us through what to do when the Inca Trail is sold out……. Inca trail permits sold out With the Inca Trail rigorously controlled through a permit system (500 a day) and constant high demand for this world famous …
Kathy in Peru – two treks near Cusco by Kathy Jarvis on 24th April, 2018 Twenty four years since she first set foot in Peru Andean Trails’ Kathy is heading back to some of her old haunts with her 10 year old son. The plan is to trek in two of the big mountain areas just near to Cusco : Lares and Ausangate – both very familiar areas with …
Peru Treks from Cusco by Kathy Jarvis on 11th January, 2018 What trek should I do in Peru? Kathy, Andean Trails’ director, has been trekking in the Andes since 1994. Here she gives her round up of treks in the Cusco area, from the Classic Inca Trail to the more remote and rugged mountain Ausangate Circuit. All prices correct at the time of publishing 11/01/2018 CLASSIC …
Peru: travel expert reviews latest trip in Q&A by Kathy Jarvis on 30th November, 2017 Peru’s Highlights A few months ago Tom went to Peru to find new locations, trek new paths and just catch up with what’s been happening there. He tells us… Holiday in a nutshell? Almost all of Peru’s Southern highlights. Where have you just been? All over the south of Peru – starting as …
Helping Cusco kids – Huchuy Yachaq by Kathy Jarvis on 16th February, 2017 Helping kids in Huchuy Yachaq Nigel Mallon has just returned from Peru with wonderful images of his visit to the Huchuy Yachaq charity, in Cusco. At Huchuy Yachaq, Nigel took photos of the beautiful jewellery the local women produce in an effort to raise additional income. Nigel’s photos will be used in a leaflet given …
Acclimatisation hikes, Cusco, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 5th August, 2016 Acclimatisation hikes, Cusco, Peru Peru and particularly Cusco is a massive draw for trekkers, with great hikes from the Inca Trail to Salkantay and more to enjoy – and everyone needs to acclimatise to the altitude before hiking. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis has written many Peru trekking guides, including the recently updated Bradt Peru …
Inti Raymi: Cusco Inca festival on a budget by Tom Shearman on 9th June, 2016 Inti Raymi: Cusco Inca festival on a budget Inti Raymi festival – enjoy the Inca parade on a budget Andean Trails’ Tom describes how to witness the incredible Inti Raymi festival in Cusco, Peru, without having to spend a fortune on tickets. He writes: June 24, 8am. We’d been out the night before, …
Moon Temple and Choquequirao by Kathy Jarvis on 25th February, 2016 Moon Temple and Choquequirao Director of Andean Trails and Peru trekking guide book writer, Kathy writes: ” There’s a lot more to Peru than the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. If you want to explore some amazing Inca sites, walk deep in the mountains, and get away from the crowds then two of my …
Cusco, month by month guide when to go by Kat Dougal on 19th February, 2016 Cusco, month by month guide when to go The best weather and the best time to visit Cusco? It’s all relative now, says Cusco resident and tour guide Mark Smith. He writes: Once upon a time, “Peru season” was very much April to October, but as in much of the world the weather has …
Top 10 restaurants in Cusco, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 20th November, 2015 Top 10 restaurants in Cusco, Peru Most traveller’s to Peru will at some point spend some time in Cusco – here are some of our suggestions for restaurants to eat in. Fallen Angel Amazing décor and ambience, best at night for drinks and partying. Also has a guest house with four individually designed funky …
Moon Temple trek to Machu Picchu, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 13th August, 2015 Moon Temple trek to Machu Picchu Maria walks the Moon Temple trek in this week’s blog, and takes on the highest mountain pass of her life, in Peru. Check her Facebook pictures and a short video with a guide explaining ‘apachetas.’ She writes: “Quillatambo. Composed of two Quechua words, it perfectly captures this adventure trek, the Moon …
Family trip to Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 13th February, 2015 Family trip to Machu Picchu Tullio, our Peru-based representative, shares his family’s recent ‘back door to Machu Picchu’ trip. Eschewing the traditional Inca Trail, Tullio used 4x4s, bike and feet to make his way to the famous Inca citadel, powered by mangos and hot baths. All part of the Andean Trails’ service of finding new …
Sacred Valley Via Ferrata zipline by Kathy Jarvis on 28th November, 2014 Sacred Valley Via Ferrata zipline This week, Andean Trails’ Maria lives like a condor – flying atop mountains and sleeping while hanging over a precipice in Peru. Check her fantastic photos on Facebook. She writes: “On the zipline, we were literally flying over and between mountains, stifling those little whimpers that both calm and …
Five star hotels in Cusco, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 21st November, 2014 We take a look at Cusco’s burgeoning five star hotel scene this week, for all of which we get good booking rates for our passengers. These hotels are perfect for a treat or to rest aching bones after some trekking on the Luxury Inca Trail or the adventure of the Apurimac. Or …
